Angels of Weston’ continue Katrina relief efforts

Friday

Feb 29, 2008 at 12:01 AMFeb 29, 2008 at 10:29 PM

The ``Angels of Weston'' are how members of the Weston Hurricane Katrina Committee are being described.

Amelia Andrade/Gatehouse News Service

The ``Angels of Weston'' are how members of the Weston Hurricane Katrina Committee are being described.
The committee is helping the people of Pearlington, Miss, a small community, with fewer than 2,000 people, who considered themselves forgotten shortly after the disaster 2« years ago.
The Building Goodness Foundation created the committee to raise money for the construction of a community center in Pearlington.
About $100,000 has been raised for the project. The committee has been recruiting volunteers to join a work crew that will travel to Pearlington every other week through May.
``The construction started last September, and the roof was completed a few days ago,'' said Lenore Zug Lobel, the chairwoman of the Weston Hurricane Katrina Committee.
Lobel recently visited Pearlington, having been there once before in June 2006. When she got there, she noticed the roads were clear of wrecked cars, boats and piles of debris.
A number of new homes have been built since 2006, and many more are being built. But she still saw many empty lots and neglected houses.
Lobel stayed with her friend, Buster Huse. His story is typical of many Gulf Coast residents.
He was stuck on top of a trailer for 8« hours with his dog and cat. He had gone through stomach surgery two weeks before, and didn't have time to save his other two dogs who were chained on the other side of his yard.
``I was happy to see that his FEMA trailer was gone and that he had moved into an attractive yellow house,'' said Lobel. ``Beside Buster's house stood a 30-foot cross which he had promised God that he would build if he survived the storm.''
Huse's house was built by the Mennonites. They also built a house for Royal Royal, another victim befriended by Lobel during her first visit.
Royal was 83 and had lost his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren in the storm. Lobel visited him this time, but he died several days after she left. The home built for Royal is now being used to house volunteers.
During her stay in Pearlington, Lobel met with the foundation's architect and head contractor. Many residents also attended the meeting to discuss the project.
She also met with Nancy Ratliff, who lives in Hattiesburg, Miss. Ratliff receives donations from her church and friends to buy furniture. When she visits Pearlington, she often brings curtains and quilts she made herself.
``Life in Pearlington showed signs of slow improvement,'' said Lobel.
Residents told her that animals like birds and wild pigs, once regular sights before the hurricane, are finally returning. Huse excitedly told her about seeing his first squirrel.
Residents were more satisfied with the replacement of FEMA trailers with cleaner, healthier and more spacious trailers from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
The community center, which should be completed this summer, will have a meeting room for about 200 people, a smaller room for social gatherings, a kitchen, bathrooms, space for a county sheriff, space for the county water and sewage department, and other rooms designated for programs for the elderly and children.
The Weston Hurricane Katrina Committee is still looking for help. Anyone interested can contact Jack Higgins at jhiggins@buildinggoodness.org or 434-973-0993.

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